Feeding on sin: 'They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.' The priests economically benefit from people's sin—the more offerings for sin, the more priestly income (Leviticus 6:26, 10:17). This creates perverse incentive: priests profit from perpetuating sin rather than eliminating it. They 'set their heart' (literally 'lift up their soul,' נָשָׂא נַפְשׁוֹ, nasa nafsho) toward iniquity, desiring its continuation. This corruption transforms shepherds into wolves (Ezekiel 34:2-3, Acts 20:29). True spiritual leadership pursues holiness even at personal cost; false leadership exploits people's weakness for profit (1 Peter 5:2-3). Only Christ provides perfectly disinterested mediation—He gains nothing from our sin, everything from our holiness (Hebrews 7:26-27).
Historical Context
The Levitical system designated portions of sin and guilt offerings to priests (Leviticus 6:26, 7:6-7). This provision became corrupted when priests—rather than teaching people to avoid sin—tacitly encouraged it to maintain offerings. Similar corruption appears in Jesus's time: temple commerce exploiting worshipers (Matthew 21:12-13). Medieval Catholicism's abuse of indulgences provided parallel: profiting from sin rather than promoting holiness. This demonstrates how religious systems can become self-serving institutions rather than means of grace. Reformed theology's emphasis on sola gratia (grace alone) partially responds to such corruption: salvation purchased by Christ's once-for-all sacrifice requires no ongoing payment to religious mediators.
Questions for Reflection
How can Christian leaders guard against financial incentives that might compromise their prophetic calling to confront sin?
What does it mean that Christ's priesthood operates from entirely different motives than self-interested human priests?
Analysis & Commentary
Feeding on sin: 'They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.' The priests economically benefit from people's sin—the more offerings for sin, the more priestly income (Leviticus 6:26, 10:17). This creates perverse incentive: priests profit from perpetuating sin rather than eliminating it. They 'set their heart' (literally 'lift up their soul,' נָשָׂא נַפְשׁוֹ, nasa nafsho) toward iniquity, desiring its continuation. This corruption transforms shepherds into wolves (Ezekiel 34:2-3, Acts 20:29). True spiritual leadership pursues holiness even at personal cost; false leadership exploits people's weakness for profit (1 Peter 5:2-3). Only Christ provides perfectly disinterested mediation—He gains nothing from our sin, everything from our holiness (Hebrews 7:26-27).